Well call it what you want, but I absolutely loved this album. It's fun, it's raw, and it's politically charged. They sort of remind me of a modern day X-Ray Spex or Crisis (two other classic punk bands you all should check out if you get the chance).
I mainly wanted to pick this album because it's a newer album from last year and I really didn't see too much attention surrounding it so I just wanted to make sure you all get a chance to listen to it if you haven't yet. They described themselves as a "bi lingual political dance sax punk party from Providence" and I can't really think of a better way to describe them. Hope you all enjoy them as much as I did.
Man so this album was weird for me. I'm not really into punk, I've tried in the past, people have recommended me so many different albums but nothing ever appealed to me. This one though had its moments for me. I do like how raw this album is, like you said. I could do without the screaming vocals (just not my thing) but I also appreciate the passion behind them.
ReplyDeleteOne song I really really liked was Monstro. I loved the build up and there seemed to be a more distinct line of instrumentation in it, compared to the other tracks. All in all, this probably won't be a record I'll come back to but thanks for introducing it to me!
For me, this album was a new experience; It wasn't really like anything I've listened to before. I never really sit down and listen to faster-paced music (I usually reserve it for listening to while cooking or cleaning or working on a project), but this album has a lot of depth that I wouldn't have otherwise heard if I wasn't forced to listen so intently. The lyrics seemed to be an important part of the album, but I wasn't able to comprehend most of them without looking them up.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite tracks are more towards the end of the album. I liked the last four tracks a lot, I especially liked Dancing In The Dark.
Good pick, glad I had the chance to hear this album.
I went into this album with high hopes. I had been meaning to check out this album on my own for a while since hearing Monstro earlier this year. It wasn't a song that I had been obsessed with or anything, but I could definitely see the potential for a really searing aggressive punk band. Plus, I really enjoy good feminist punk.
ReplyDeleteHowever, the album wasn't quite what I was expecting. I think the "dance sax" part of that description of them came off as way to ska for me. There's a lot of staccato stopping and starting like on Future Police that feels off to me. As someone who tends to prefer his punk loud, fast, and frenetic the sax on this album specifically just added this weird quirk element to many of the songs that didn't appeal to me.
The songs I did like were the faster songs that would hit you with that kind of raw punk energy without release. Santa and Desde Arriba stood out to me in this regard. The one exception to all of what I've said however is Poder Elegir. It's the longest song on the album, but manages to drive throughout the entire thing. It's also the one song where I felt like the sax was actually adding to my enjoyment.
All in all I appreciate this album, but I don't think it's quite for me. Its too dance-y for what I want out of a punk album. Even though I won't come back to this one, I'm definitely interested in whatever they put out next!
I'm so god damn impressed by people who can speak more than one language; switching between two in a song is even more impressive. I enjoyed the bi-lingual aspect of the music. The music itself is obviously pretty raw and that's cool, just not my thing.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed listening to the album. Not sure I'll listen again unless Portland transforms me into a more political punk bro, but I can tell that this is good stuff.
The sax was kind of nice at the start but honestly it got a bit tiresome as the album wore on. Thankfully, and smartly in my opinion, this is a shorter album. Much longer and I think I would have had some more problems.
I've known about Downtown Boys for about a year just cause they're big around here and I've been able to see them a few times and I gotta say this is the kind of music that is incredible to me live but not something I want to be sitting around listening to pretty much ever. I don't really like to listen to punk music that is this traditionally punk in songwriting and instrumentation cause it's just kinda grating and I'm not usually angry enough for it to be gratifying instead of annoying.
ReplyDeleteThat being said, I LOVE LOVE LOVE Downtown Boys live. The saxophonist is incredible the lead singer is incredible, and they get crowds excited in ways I have almost never experienced. Victoria talks about the many very important problems she sings about between sets in such a genuinely passionate way that is very inspiring and moving. Everyone dances really hard and it feels like everything is okay and gonna get better cause for a bit you're surrounded by people who really care. Good band they're doing a lot of good <3 don't like listening to their album tho lol